swallow
HighNeutral. Common in both formal and informal contexts, across all registers.
Definition
Meaning
To cause food, drink, or another substance to pass from the mouth into the stomach.
To accept something unpleasant or difficult without protest; to take in and make something disappear or no longer visible; a small migratory bird of the family Hirundinidae.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, the action can be literal (physiological) or metaphorical (acceptance/endurance). As a noun, it is primarily zoological but can appear in idioms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. The noun for the bird is identical. The verb's usage patterns are nearly the same. The idiom 'one swallow does not a summer make' is more common in UK English.
Connotations
The verb 'to swallow one's pride' is equally common. The bird is a common symbol of spring/summer return and, historically, of freedom or homeland.
Frequency
The literal verb is extremely frequent in both. The metaphorical uses are common. The noun (bird) is of medium frequency, context-dependent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] swallow [NP][NP] swallow [NP] up[NP] swallow [ADJ] (e.g., hard, difficult)[NP] swallow [one's NP] (e.g., pride, words)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “One swallow does not a summer make.”
- “Swallow one's words.”
- “Swallow the bait.”
- “A bitter pill to swallow.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company had to swallow the losses from the failed project."
Academic
"The theory was difficult for the establishment to swallow."
Everyday
"Can you swallow this tablet with water?"
Technical
"The black hole can swallow entire stars."
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- A swallow darted over the surface of the pond.
- He finished his drink in one swift swallow.
American English
- We watched the swallows building a nest under the eaves.
- With a final swallow, he emptied the glass.
verb
British English
- He took a gulp of tea to swallow the biscuit.
- It's a bitter pill to swallow, but the evidence is clear.
- The small boat was swallowed by the enormous waves.
American English
- She swallowed the aspirin with some juice.
- You're going to have to swallow your pride and apologize.
- The new mall swallowed up the last of the open land in town.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby can swallow soft food now.
- Look! A swallow is flying.
- This medicine is large. Can you swallow it?
- One swallow of the bitter liquid was enough.
- I don't expect you to swallow such a silly story.
- The company was forced to swallow a hefty fine for its violations.
- He swallowed his disappointment and congratulated the winner.
- The darkness quickly swallowed the hiker as he entered the cave.
- The populist rhetoric was easily swallowed by a disillusioned electorate.
- The merger effectively swallowed up all its major competitors, creating a monopoly.
- The novel's complex themes require more than a superficial swallow; they demand careful digestion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SWALLOW (bird) with a large throat, easily SWALLOWing a berry whole. Bird and action share the same word.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCEPTING IS SWALLOWING (He swallowed the lie). MAKING DISAPPEAR IS SWALLOWING (The fog swallowed the mountains).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse the verb 'swallow' (глотать) with the noun 'swallow' (ласточка). They are homographs in English but different words in Russian.
- The idiom 'swallow one's pride' translates to 'проглотить свою гордость', a direct equivalent.
- "Hard to swallow" as an idea translates to 'трудно принять', not necessarily involving physical swallowing.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I swallowed on the water.' Correct: 'I swallowed the water.' (The object is required)
- Incorrect preposition: 'He swallowed with his pride.' Correct: 'He swallowed his pride.'
- Spelling confusion with 'shallow' (неглубокий).
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'One swallow does not a summer make', what does 'swallow' symbolize?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is regular. Past simple and past participle: swallowed.
'Swallow' is the general term for moving something from mouth to stomach. 'Gulp' implies swallowing quickly, audibly, or in large amounts, often due to thirst, hunger, or fear.
Yes, for both. You swallow water and you swallow food.
It means it has been taken over, acquired, or absorbed by a larger company, often losing its independent identity.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.